Located in Nottingham, GB
During the 19th century, meerschaum carving reached extraordinary levels of technical sophistication, particularly in Austria and Germany, where workshops specialised in elaborate smoking accessories for the affluent market. Alongside classical, folkloric, and theatrical subjects, erotic novelty pieces emerged as a discreet form of gentlemanly amusement. Often produced in limited numbers and housed in fitted presentation cases, these objects combined humour, virtuoso craftsmanship, and the fascination with hidden mechanisms that characterised Victorian decorative arts.
Description
This exceptionally rare late 19th-century Austrian meerschaum smoking set is conceived as an intimate bedroom tableau, combining refined craftsmanship with playful erotic ingenuity. Presented within its original leather-covered hinged case, the interior is lined in deep burgundy velvet and satin, trimmed with delicate lace to evoke the appearance of a miniature bed.
At the centre reclines a finely modelled female figure carved in meerschaum, her flowing hair and softly draped bodice rendered with remarkable delicacy. The figure forms the principal pipe, fitted with an amber mouthpiece and bowl integrated into the composition. Completing the ensemble are two detachable cheroot holders, each ingeniously fashioned as the lady's stockinged legs terminating in amber boots. When assembled within the case, the components create a theatrical trompe-l'œil effect that transforms a practical smoking accessory into an object of wit and surprise.
Beyond its appeal as a rare example of antique tobacciana, the piece possesses a distinctly sculptural quality. Its presentation recalls the anatomical wax...
Category
19th Century Antique Leather Furniture